2-year-old, 6-year-old slain in quadruple homicide in Cleveland; dad of 1 of the kids arrested

After a 2-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy were among those killed in a quadruple homicide in Cleveland, the father of one of the children was arrested, authorities said Thursday.

The investigation began Tuesday morning when emergency dispatchers received a 911 call reporting the body of a man lying in a field, Cleveland police said.

David Cousin Jr., 35, was found on the ground shot multiple times, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.

David Dermer/AP

Police officers work at the scene where several bodies were found, Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in Cleveland.

Officers forced entry into a home near where Cousin's body was because they smelled smoke, police said.

A fire had been started in the home, authorities said. There police found the bodies of 25-year-old Takeyra Collins, 6-year-old Armond Johnson Jr. and 2-year-old Aubree Stone, according to the medical examiner's office.

David Dermer/AP

A vehicle is towed away from the crime scene where several bodies were found, July 9, 2019, in Cleveland.